March 26, 2008	Wednesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 17, 1429

LAHORE, March 25: A sizeable turnout is expected at the midweek Lahore Gymkhana races when a seven-event card will go through at the Racecourse on Wednesday.

It would be a challenge for the punters to pick winners from some 82 acceptors, mostly unknown pedigrees, nicknamed the UK (unknown) horses, lining up for the events.

The feature event, the Sargodha Plate, a class VI division I handicap race, to be gone over the distance of 1,000 metres, has a dozen acceptors, barring last-minute withdrawals. Going by recent form and performances, it looks like a showdown between three sprinters namely Pick Of The Day, Arzoo and Love Minister.

Still three-year-old filly Pick Of The Day should prove her superiority over the others in this sixth race of the day.

The supporting and fifth race, the Sargodha Plate class VI division II, to be contested over the 1,000 metres distance, has nine runners. Four-year-old bay filly Creek Cat, who has managed to disappoint her connections so far, should prove her bloodline capabilities by winning the race. The dark bay colt Brave Heart and chestnut filly Freeze should be her challengers.

Barring last-minute withdrawals, there are 11 runners in the fourth race, the Sargodha Plate class VI division III and IV. Four-year-old colt Total Price and the gelding Great Khan are the speedy ones among them. They should prove their superiority by outpacing each other. The latter’s credentials are doubtful due to his owner’s links with a bookmaker, making Total Price a strong contender.

Khan Baba, Bagh-o-Bahar, Silent Assassin and Smiling Assassin look good for the second race, the Khushab Plate class VII division II, run over the sprinting distance of 1,000 metres. The race should be bagged by either Silent Assassin or Smiling Assassin, who belong to one owner — Munir Dar. But Bagh-o-Bahar and Khan Baba may become the thorns in their way.

Dark bay filly Noor-un-Nisa, who surprisingly ran off the board on March 12 after winning two back-to-back races, may get back into form and win a race this time as her owner steward Syed Pervaiz Hussain Shah, whom she had been missing while he was abroad, is now back home.

Lucky Coin, who bags a place every time he has been in a race, and Sher-e-Lahore should be fighting for places too.

Kiss Of Love, Lal Pari and Kashif Da Gulshan look good for the seventh and last race. They may finish in the same order too.

All races will be contested over the sprinting distance of 1,000 metres with the first one starting at 12.30pm.

Following are the fields and our selections:

SARGODHA PLATE CLASS VI

DIV III 1,000M:

Lubna 9-0, Lucky Coin 9-0, Love Affair 8-11, Dream Land 8-11, White Oaks 8-10, Tosca 8-10, Weldon Shogun 8-10, Dream Prince 8-8, Sher-e-Lahore 8-6 and Noor-un-Nisa 8-4.

Win: Noor-un-Nisa. Place: Sher-e-Lahore and Lucky Coin.

KHUSHAB PLATE CLASS VII

DIV II 1,000M:

Lucky Bhakkar 9-0, Nazi Gulshan 9-0, Khan Baba 9-0, Shandar 9-0, Mere Lal 9-0, Bagh-o-Bahar 9-0, Silent Assassin 9-0, Don’t Touch Me 8-10, Smiling Assassin 8-8, Waqas Prince 8-6, Sohna Noor 7-8, Pretty 7-8, Cash Deposit 7-8, Bioactive 7-8 and Sana 7-8.

Win: Silent or Smiling Assassin. Place: Bagh-o-Bahar and Khan Baba.

KHUSHAB PLATE CLASS VII

DIV I 1,000M:

Chocolate Boy 9-0, Best Owner 9-0, Sudden Attack 9-0, Independent 9-0, Sherni 8-10, Rokrra 8-10, Porsche 8-10, Mah-e-Noor 8-10, Rajwali 8-8, Red Baron 8-8, Little Love 8-2 and Pure Power 8-2.

Win: Sherni. Place: Mah-e-Noor and Pure Power.

SARGODHA PLATE CLASS VI

DIV III & IV 1,000M:

Pumey De Jan 9-4, Great Khan 9-2, Total Price 9-0, Great Rhythm 8-12, Dimple 8-8, Geo Bhakkar 8-2, Khan The Great 8-0, Black King 7-8, Gold Dust 7-8, Grey Dancer 7-8 and Leader’s Wing 7-8.

Win: Total Price. Place: great Khan and Black King.

SARGODHA PLATE CLASS VI

DIV II 1,000M:

Brave Heart 9-2, Murad King 9-0, Creek Cat 8-10, Sir Ivanhoe 8-10, Athena 8-6, Freeze 8-6, Dream Memories 8-6, Warid 8-6 and Rania 8-2.

Win: Creek Cat. Place: Brave Heart and Freeze.

SARGODHA PLATE CLASS VI

DIV I 1,000M:

Pick Of The Day 9-4, Chimera 9-0, Golden Addition 9-0, Murad The Great 9-0, Arzoo 8-12, Love Minister 8-10, Magic Queen 8-10, Honest Minister 8-6, Lighting Muqeem 8-6, Super Sonic 8-6, Bashayeash Prince 8-2 and Sun Downer 8-2.

Win: Pick Of The Day. Place: Arzoo and Love Minister.

KHUSHAB PLATE CLASS VII

DIV III 1,000M:

Blank Cheque 9-0, Anarkali 8-10, Mansha Love 8-10, Naseer Love 8-10, Changer 8-10, Taqdeer-e-Bhakkar 8-6, Kiss Of Love 8-2, Summaya 8-2, Billoo Love 8-2, Tarrar Choice 7-12, Lal Pari 7-10, Kashif Da Gulshan 7-8 and Pattola 7-8.

Win: Kiss Of Love. Place: Kashif Da Gulshan and Lal Pari.